There are so many fun activities to do in Vancouver this Fall. It’s a great time of year to go for a hike, visit an apple orchard, or simply go for a walk and admire the colorful leaves.
Enjoy the cooler weather before the rainy season settles in for the Winter and embrace all that this season has to offer with these very Fall activities to do in Vancouver. It’ll make you feel a little less sad about Summer coming to an end.
Here are 7 fun activities to do in Vancouver this Fall to celebrate the season.
Outdoor Fall Activities in Vancouver
Take a Walk Under the Leaves
Nothing indicates Fall like sipping a pumpkin spice latte, walking down the leaf-covered streets of Vancouver. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of beautiful places to go to admire all of the colors that this season has to offer. The best part is it’s absolutely free and social-distance friendly.
Here are some places in Vancouver known for their delightful Fall leaves:
- Queen Elizabeth Park: Stroll around the highest point in Vancouver and take in the beauty of the Fall leaves at Queen Elizabeth Park and the VanDusen Botanical Gardens.
- Pacific Spirit Park: With tons of trails to choose from, you can spend the entire day walking through the dense forest and admire the changing leaves in Pacific Spirit Park.
- University of British Columbia: Every UBC student knows the best place to see leaves in the Fall is on campus. There’s even an entire building that’s covered in bright red and orange Fall leaves.
Grab your camera and a hot cup of coffee and get out and enjoy the natural beauty of the city.
Visit a Vancouver Farmer’s Market
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We’re lucky to live in Vancouver and have an abundance of farmer’s markets year-round. Stop by one of the many markets and pick up broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, squash, and many more Fall vegetables before the Winter comes.
There are a few different markets to choose from, depending on where in the city you’re located. Riley Park, Trout Lake, and the West End markets all happen on Saturday mornings until 2 pm, whereas Kitsilano and Mount Pleasant both have their markets on Sundays.
No matter which location you choose, you’re sure to find an assortment of local produce, artisan baked goods, and handcrafted spirits ready for you to enjoy.
Go for a Scenic Drive in Vancouver
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Not in the mood to walk? Not to worry, you can always enjoy the colors of Fall from the comfort of your own car. Driving allows you to cover a lot more ground so you’ll be able to enjoy even more of all that Vancouver has to offer.
Check out one of these tree-lined roads for a scenic Vancouver activity this Fall:
- Stanley Park: Stanley Park is beautiful every time of year, especially in the Fall. Drive through the park and around the seawall to see a rich assortment of red, yellow, and orange leaves above you. Stop by Hallelujah Point along the way for a spectacular view of the downtown Vancouver skyline this October.
- Kitsilano: Drive through the streets of Kits one weekend and take in the beautiful Fall colors on the trees. Take a turn down 12th near Arbutus and Dunbar, and see nature in all of its glory.
- East Vancouver: Take a drive through East Vancouver, particularly the neighborhoods around 8th avenue or King Edward, and you’ll see tons of bright, beckoning Fall colors. Head over to Trout Lake afterwards and you can see some of the biggest, brightest Fall trees in the city.
Go Apple Picking Near Vancouver
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Picking fruit is a quintessential Vancouver activity, no matter the season. While Summer is all about berries picked straight from the vine and stone fruit plucked from the trees, Fall is all about apples.
Take a day trip just outside of the city and pick your own apples this Fall at Taves Family Farm. You can drop in anytime and pick a wide variety of different kinds of apples including ambrosia, Fuji, gala, and Honeycrisp.
There’s also a farmer’s market, a pumpkin patch, U-pick goji berries, and fresh apple cider to enjoy while you’re there. It’s a great way to spend the day and score some freshly picked apples at a very reasonable price.
Pick Out the Perfect Pumpkin
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Visit one of the lower mainland’s many pumpkin patches for the opportunity to pick out your perfect Fall pumpkin. It’s a great thing to do with the kids on a chilly Fall weekend.
Here are some of our favorite pumpkin patches to visit near Vancouver this Fall:
- Richmond County Farms: This family-owned farm features a market full of fresh produce, a wagon-ride with an entertainer, farm animals to admire, and a massive U-pick pumpkin patch, all opening on October 3rd.
- Laity Pumpkin Patch: With two locations in Maple Ridge, this just may be one of the biggest pumpkin patches out there. They have plenty of pumpkins to choose from so you’ll have no problems finding the perfect one.
- Aldor Acres Family Farm: This year, the Aldor Acres farm in Langley will be offering both a walk-through and drive-through pumpkin patch experience. If you choose the drive-through option, you’ll be able to drive right through the farm, park the car, and pick out your pumpkin, all while social distancing.
Events Happening in Vancouver this Fall
Be a Part of Vancouver International Film Festival
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Vancouver International Film Festival is on now until October 7 th, featuring over 100 different feature films and events. However, things are a happening little differently this year.
Instead of going to the theatre to watch these international films, you can stream them on your computer from the comfort of your home anytime between now to the end of the festival. Films will be available on demand, so you can watch them at your leisure. It’s more comfortable, more convenient, and a great opportunity to see some of the best independent films of the year right in your own living room.
For just $60, you can access all the films and creator talks or you can choose to pay per film. There will also be a few in-person screenings with limited seating offered as well if you want the full VIFF experience. However, we think cozying up on the couch and watching it online sounds just as fun.
BC Culture Day
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Culture Day is a nation-wide event intended to celebrate Canadian arts and culture. This year, BC Culture Day is taking place over the course of an entire month and will feature both in-person and online events.
Have a look at a few of the featured events happening in Vancouver this year for BC Culture Day:
- North Van City Mosaic: The city of North Vancouver invited all its residents to submit a picture, drawing, or painting representing their life during COVID-19. They then compiled all of the submissions and pieced it together. Now, they’ll be livestreaming the piece’s reveal via Zoom this October. Tune in to see what they’ve created!
- Public Art Self-Guided Walking Tour: Download a walking tour brochure and head outside for an hour or two to learn more about the public art in and around the city. There’s a brochure for Yaletown and Burrard-Corridor with detailed explanations of every public art piece along the way.
- Britannia Artist Market: Enjoy local artisans, makers, and food vendors outside the Britannia Branch Library every Saturday. Come learn about traditional foods and art techniques at this market intended to highlight local talent.
Celebrate Fall in Vancouver
Sure, things may be a little different this year, but that doesn’t mean there still isn’t plenty to do in Vancouver this Fall. Visit a pumpkin patch, watch an independent film, or celebrate Canadian arts and culture at BC Culture Day this year. Just be sure to follow social distancing guidelines to keep everyone healthy and safe this season.
Looking for somewhere to eat at the end of your day? Check out our picks for the Top 10 Restaurants for Date Night in Vancouver.